#RISEABOVE WITH PAST LEADVILLE CHAMPS: PART I

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LEADVILLE IS…

We spoke to past champions of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB & Run to get their tips, tricks and insight into a successful Leadville experience. Check out their advice that helped propel them to victory on two of the most grueling courses out there.

Understanding the specific demands of the race and preparing accordingly. Understanding that running at 10,000 feet does some very specific things to your body and trying to be as fit and well trained as possible. – Devon Yanko, 2017 Leadville Trail 100 Run Champion

Training by hiking in mountains a lot, or at the least hiking on steep gradients on treadmills multiple times per week. – Ian Sharman, 4-Time Leadville Trail 100 Run Champion (pictured)

Recognizing and accepting the altitude will affect your pace and effort. – Rob Krar, 2-Time Leadville Trail 100 Run Champion

As in other ultras, keep on moving, from less to more, be consistant, take care of oneself, and try to train in altitude as much as possible before! – Emma Roca, 2014 Leadville Trail 100 Run Champion

For me it’s hydration. You get caught up in the excitement in the first 2 hours and if you don’t drink during that critical period, because you are at altitude, you will pay the price big time later. I’m a huge nerd and I carry a hydration pack even though I’m a pro with people handing me bottles because it helps me drink during the hectic first two hours to stay ahead of my hydration needs. – Larissa Connors, 2-Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB Champion (pictured)

Preparation and planning. Prepare by training effectively and efficiently. Plan carefully how to approach the race and how to fuel it – sufficient fueling is critical. – Sally Bigham, 3-Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB Champion

Preparation. Weather you’re trying to make it one cut off further then you did last year, you want to get that buckle, you want to get the BIG buckle, you want to win the race or break the record you gotta prepare correctly. The race is simply a culmination of your training leading into it. If you skipped your long days or interval days or didn’t put in the work for whatever reason the race will expose that. Racing is hard and no matter the reason, if you didn’t do the work you won’t get the result you want. On the other hand, if you put in the work and did all your training, you’ll likely get the result you were shooting for. – Todd Wells, 3-Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB Champion